His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

a bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

me flowers when

and the roses had made me

hives, my skin itching

believed me back then, accusing me

cosmetic that

had

always.

as he

didn't know,"

you didn't." My voice

You always believed whatever Sienna

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Knees, His Pleas, But

37

29

really,"

tightened around the boNqNet, his knuckles white.

I

my

"Get out of my house, Nathan,

call the police again."

widened, panic setting

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

a moment longer, as

I would change my mind.

didn't move, didn't soften,

the bouquet of

in his hand. I watched

steps, his shoulders slumped

he was gone, I closed

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Kavees, His Pleas, By Ow

99

leaned against it, the weight of

house was a mess,

the

lingering in the

time,

Just indifference.

of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like

that

of all things. He still didn't get it.

never had.

I

in my chest as I looked down at

must've told him I